Proposed carnival won't seek permit for downtown spot

Carnival not coming to old Pavilion site

April 19, 2013 at 8:23 PM EST - Updated June 30 at 1:55 PM

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – A Florida based company that submitted an application with the City of Myrtle Beach to bring a summer carnival to the former site of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion has decided not to move forward with those plans.

"They want to continue development of the downtown area," explains Mark Kruea, with the City of Myrtle Beach. He adds, "we want to push it forward, not halt it."

He explains a temporary carnival wouldn't draw people to the area like past additions such as the SkyWheel or the Ziplines.

"In council's thinking the downtown area has grown beyond the idea of a temporary carnival that would come in for 60 days, 90 days, and not contribute to the downtown growth that we've seen," he says.

On Tuesday, the City Council will vote on the issue, asking for a zoning change. This may put the permit on hold if the Planning Commission studies the pros and cons of the temporary carnival.

And city spokesman Mark Kruea says they've since determined the special events permit was unnecessary. That area downtown is zoned so that the company would need to apply for a construction permit before setting up shop. Due to the opposition, the company has decided not to apply for the permit, and will not be coming to town.

Kruea says the zoning change could prevent any temporary carnivals from coming to the area. However, the city is open to other alternatives.

The company was hoping to have the carnival running after Memorial Day, according to Mark Kruea.